Dr. Robert Hynes (Louisiana State University) will undertake an extensive imaging and spectroscopic survey to identify optical counterparts of X-ray sources detected by the Galactic Bulge Survey of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Much of the sample is expected to be low-mass X-ray binaries; these are systems in which a neutron star or a black hole is stripping material from a nearby companion. The project will greatly increase the sample of X-ray binary systems with known properties. Some of these may be eclipsing systems, which would provide important estimates of neutron star and black hole masses. In addition, the data from this project will test models of the formation of low-mass X-ray binaries in different stellar populations.
Data from this survey will form the core of a Ph.D. dissertation, and will be distributed to the community for future follow-up surveys at several wavelengths. The research will also provide undergraduate students with direct research experience.
